This website has been developed by Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd.

This website has separate sections for healthcare professionals (containing promotional information), and patients who have been prescribed Testogel® (testosterone) within the UK.

Please confirm that:

This website is provided for HCPs in the UK by Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd.

Starting the conversation with your patients…

Starting the conversation with your patients

Practical advice

Before first use, patients need to prepare the gel pump to ensure delivery of a consistent dose.

Step 1

Remove the cap from the canister to reveal the plunger

Step 2

Press the plunger down three times, collecting the gel on a tissue

Step 3

Do not use the gel released and safely discard it in a rubbish bin

The pump is now ready to use and these steps do not have to be performed again.

Applying Testogel®1,2

Application

Assure patients that application is straight forward and that they are aware of the following steps:

  • Apply the gel at the same time every day, onto clean, dry, healthy skin. Apply as a thin layer on both shoulders and upper arms (no need to rub in)
  • Leave to dry – Testogel® dries within 3–5 minutes
  • DO NOT apply to the upper chest, genitals or abdomen

Wash your hands

  • With soap and water, after applying gel
  • Wait at least 2 hours after gel application before washing or bathing

Cover up

  • After it dries, the area should be covered with clothing
  • If someone else comes into contact with the application site, they should wash their skin with soap and water as soon as possible

Wash application areas before any direct skin contact with someone else.

Testogel® is flammable until dry.

How to apply Testogel®

How to prepare your pump dispenser containing Testogel® 16.2 mg/g gel for the first time and for daily application. Application instructions apply for both Testogel® 16.2 mg/g gel and Testogel® 40.5 mg, transdermal gel in sachet.

1:25

Precautions

Testosterone can be transferred to others through direct skin-on-skin contact. In order to prevent this, equip your patients with the following information:

How to avoid transfer risk:1,2

  • Wash their hands with soap and water after applying the gel
  • Cover the application area with clothing once the gel has dried
  • It may be best for patients to apply the gel in the morning before dressing for the day
  • Take a shower before any anticipated skin-to-skin contact

If a patient thinks they have transferred testosterone:1,2

  • Wash the area that may have been affected immediately with soap and water
  • Report any signs of testosterone exposure to the doctor. Acne, or changes in the growth or pattern of hair are all signs of potential exposure to testosterone

If a patient misses a dose or removes the gel by accident, they do not need to reapply or take a ‘double’ dose. The gel should be applied at the usual time the following day.

For more information for patients, download the Testogel® 16.2 mg/g gel package leaflet, or Testogel® 40.5 mg, transdermal gel in sachet package leaflet, which is also contained within their medication.

Duration of treatment

Duration of testosterone therapy

Professor Abraham Morgentaler of the Harvard Medical School in Boston discusses the Duration of Testosterone Therapy.

Professor Abraham Morgentaler
1:20

It is important to manage your patient’s expectations and advise them that some of their symptoms will take longer than others to improve. This will help to ensure patients continue with the treatment even if results are not immediately seen.

Many of the symptoms of testosterone deficiency (TD) will start to improve within 3 months. However, the maximum effect of treatment on most symptoms is seen at 6–12 months.3

Find more information on specific symptom relief timelines.

Monitoring

SmPC:1,2

  • Testosterone levels should be monitored at baseline and at regular intervals during treatment
  • Clinicians should adjust the dosage individually to ensure maintenance of eugonadal testosterone levels
  • In patients receiving long-term androgen therapy, the following laboratory parameters should also be monitored regularly: haemoglobin, and haematocrit (to detect polycythaemia), liver function tests, and lipid profile

Please refer to the SmPC for further information

Further guidance on testosterone therapy:4,5

  • Assess the response to therapy at 3, 6 and 12 months, and every 12 months thereafter
  • Aim for a target level of total testosterone 15-30 nmol/l to achieve optimal response
  • Monitor haematocrit before treatment, at 3-6 months, 12 months and every 12 months thereafter

References

  1. Testogel® 16.2 mg/g gel – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8919/smpc. Accessed February 2022.
  2. Testogel® 40.5 mg, transdermal gel in sachet – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13255/smpc. Accessed February 2022.
  3. Saad F, Aversa A, Isidori AM, et al. Onset of effects of testosterone treatment and time span until maximum effects are achieved. Eur J Endocrinol. 2011;165(5):675–685.
  4. Hackett G, Kirby M, Edwards D, et al. British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on Adult Testosterone Deficiency, With Statements for UK Practice. J Sex Med. 2017;14(12):1504–1523.
  5. Ullah MI, Riche DM, Koch CA. Transdermal testosterone replacement therapy in men. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2014;8:1010–112.

TES/2022/046. February 2023.

Adverse event reporting

Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Adverse events should also be reported to Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd Drug Safety on 0203 862 0920 or Email: pharmacovigilance@besins-healthcare.com

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